CREATESPACE The Hand - its function and anatomy

The hand demonstrates the history of the human race and also an individual person. Needless to mention here, the hand has played the most important role since human evolution. It is indispensable in human lives. The hand with accurate movements and delicate senses serves to smooth our daily life and complex social activity. Its quick and precise motions amaze us as if there is a mind in it. Even in the new era of innovative technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things) and autonomous robots with AI, we still wonder if such precise and clever machine as the hand could be made in the future. The human hand is an invaluable and unapproachable gift from the nature. It is our wish to learn the precise structure of the hand.   Hand surgery has progressed rapidly in recent years, and an impaired hand can be treatable to a large extent. Any medical staff who participates in treating the hand should know its exact anatomy. On top of static structure of a cadaver hand, anatomical knowledge of a functioning hand is mandatory. The hand is not an inorganic machine, but a living organ. It is necessary to understand why the structure has come to the present shape and aligned in the hand.   Anatomy of the hand is sometimes tedious for medical students who have to memorize numerous tissues with complex academic terminology. The main object of this book is to learn the dynamic anatomy of the reader’s own hand rather than that of a cadaver’s static dead hand. This book would serve as an oasis for the medical students to refresh their interest in the hand anatomy.   This book was published primarily as a reference for hand surgeons. But, it became popular among orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, and surgeons in other fields. Thereafter, hand-therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists gradually increased in number as the readers. Many robot researchers, teachers for children, and some musicians who were keenly interested in the hand anatomy joined the group. It was an unexpected pleasure and happiness for the author, who wishes the contribution of this book to the progress of hand surgery as well as for the promotion of world peace. The contents of this English edition published in 2018 are as follows. Chapter 1   Functions of the hand   1. Functions of the hand   2. Dysfunctions of the hand   3. How to evaluate the hand function Chapter 2   Birth and development of the hand   1. Phylogeny of the hand   2. Development and growth of the hand in the human embryo Chapter 3   Surface anatomy of the hand   1. Skin anatomy   2. Motion analysis Chapter 4   Deep anatomy of the hand   1. Bone   2. Joint   3. Muscle and tendon   4. Tendon sheath   5. Fasciae   6. Fascial space   7. Nerve   8. Artery   9. Vein   10. Lymphatic system Many illustrations are used instead of unclear photos to emphasize important points. The right hand is only employed in these photos and illustrations. The all 199 illustrations and photos will help you easily and precisely understand the function and anatomy of the hand. About the Author Yasuo Ueba, M.D., Ph.D. Professor emeritus of Kyoto University. Pioneer of Hand Surgery of International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand. Honorary member of Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand, Japan Elbow Society, and Japan Shoulder Society.